It’s National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week. Here’s How to Get Involved

We support dozens of nonprofits focused on ending homelessness and hunger. It’s a cause that’s central to our mission and dear to our hearts.

Over half a million people in this country are homeless on a given night, and nearly fifty million Americans are at risk of hunger. We can reduce those numbers if we try.

You’ll find no shortage of opportunities to work with foodbanks and shelters this month, but this week is a little special:

November 12-20 is National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness. More than 700 community organizations, churches, high schools, college groups, and others nationwide will come together this week to draw attention to poverty in their communities.

Local Events And Programs

• In the Atlanta area, CARE: Campus Resource Awareness and Empowerment Center of Kennesaw University will hold food drives, host a run/walk fundraiser and more.
• Children’s Restoration Network continues its Thanksgiving food drive.
• Atlanta Community Food Bank offers two events:
  • The Kroger CAN Hunger event starts 11/13. Kroger customers can purchase $1, $3 or $5 icons at the register to help provide food for area families in need.
  • ACFB’s Chili for Children cookoff is 11/14. Learn more and buy tickets here.
• In Birmingham, Alabama on November 17, Alabama, One Roof will screen award-winning documentary on youth homelessness, The Homestretch.

Find more events here. You can also find events and see updates using the hashtag #NHHAW on Twitter.

Looking for more ways to help? HomeAid, a terrific nonprofit that builds and renovates housing facilities for organizations serving homeless families and individuals, offers a handy list of thirty ways to help make a difference in the fight against homelessness and hunger*, including checking to see what local shelters and food banks need or holding a food, clothing or blanket drive for your community.

Learn more about  Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

*Since this post was written the list has been unpublished, but we still recommend you visit HomeAid and consider making a donation.

Photo by Max Böhme.